Big B clarifies his stand on Metro issue

Stating that he is proud to be a Mumbaikar, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has written to the media clarifying his stand on the proposed Metro and stressing that he welcomes the changes being seen in the city.

"Certain sections of the media, both electronic and print, have misinterpreted the writings on my blog (bigb.bigadda.com) and I wish to make a clarification. Mumbai as a city has given my family and me a place in their hearts besides recognition and respect," he said in his letter on Wednesday.

"My family and I have never and at no point of time would ever like to disregard the conveniences of my fellow Mumbaikars and the development being undertaken for a better future for the city and them," he wrote.

"My blog represents my heart and on the matter of the Metro it clearly says the 'general happiness’ that it brings to ‘commuters’ and that 'the misery of crowded locals and the uncertainties of the three wheeler or the yellow black cab shall hopefully be greatly reduced’.

"Indeed I have ended the piece by saying welcome ‘fellow passengers’. By fellow passenger I include myself as one.

"My request to everyone who visits my blog is to read it in its entirety rather than pick up words and fabricate stories which create an unnecessary sensation. I am proud to be a Mumbaikar and I welcome the changes which we are being seen in the city."

The controversy started after Amitabh posted a message on Saturday on his blog expressing his views on proposed Metro corridor in the city.

He wrote: "It is finally happening. The metro rail being laid over the metropolis called Mumbai, some under the ground, some above over large tracts of cement structures is taking shape. There is general happiness from the commuters, for, the misery of crowded locals and the uncertainties of the three wheeler or the yellow black cab shall hopefully be greatly reduced.

"But here is the killer... its going to roll over Prateeksha (his residence in Juhu)! Yesterday the authorities came over to check externally the structural condition of all houses that would get affected by the rail car moving in its proximity and they came into Prateeksha. So bye bye privacy and hello fellow traveller."